Wrap-Up: The Best of the Auto Show Season - Auto Shows

Fourteen all-stars from the 2010 – 2011 international auto show season.

Automakers combined fuel efficiency with high performance during a memorable auto show season that spanned the globe. From a turbine-powered Jaguar in Paris to a more "masculine" Beetle in New York City, this year proved that driving fun and better mileage are not mutually exclusive engineering goals.

Until the Frankfurt Motor Show opens its doors in the autumn, these are the cars that have made the biggest impact during an incredibly busy 2010–2011 auto show season.

New York signals the end of the auto show season, and the final opportunity for an automaker to make a lasting impression over the spring and summer. The Scion FR-S Concept (Front engine, Rear wheel drive, Sport) coupe was one of the best-looking cars in New York City. Look closely at that swept-back shape, and you'll spot design elements from snarling muscle cars and high-end exotics—all in a totally fresh and unique shape that will give the youth-oriented Scion brand an overdue performance jolt. A flat-4 engine, shared with Subaru, is nestled up front and powers the rear wheels.

Everyone wanted to see the new "masculine" VW Beetle in New York. Longer, wider, and lower than before, VW got the proportions spot-on. The dash-mounted bud vase is gone, though a diesel and sporty turbo model should make up for the loss. In the U.S., the 2012 Beetle will be offered with three engine choices: a 170-bhp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder gasoline, a 140-bhp 2.0-liter TDI diesel, and a 200-bhp 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline. A 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual-clutch transmission can be ordered on the turbo and diesel models.

China is now the largest auto market in the world, which explains BMW's decision to unveil its M5 Concept during this year's Shanghai Auto Show. A twin-turbocharged V-8, similar to the powerplants in the X5 M and X6 M, lurks under the hood. BMW didn't offer specifics, but expect substantially more power than the 507 bhp offered in the previous V-10-powered M5. Fuel consumption and emissions will also be notably reduced, thanks partly to features like Auto Start/Stop. This system shuts down the engine at red lights and when sitting in traffic. The next M5 will look almost identical to this concept when it arrives late this year or early 2012.

Chevrolet chose Korea, not its hometown show in Detroit, to display the edgy-looking and hybrid-powered Mi-ray roadster. A "mid-electric" powertrain is located primarily behind and beneath the driver. Two front-mounted 15-kW electric motors provide for zero emissions driving around town—though Chevy did not mention an exact driving range in EV mode. Much like the plug-in Volt hybrid, when more performance is needed a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine works in conjunction with the electric motors to send additional power to the rear wheels. Sporty and eco-friendly, the Chevrolet Mi-ray is a car we'd love to see built.

Our fingers are crossed that Volkswagen finally brings back its iconic Microbus, or "Bulli" as it was known in Germany. The styling is retro enough for the Flower Power generation, yet fresh enough for anyone who can't imagine what life was like before Facebook. The Bulli Concept is powered by either a 1.0- or 1.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine—apparently there is also room for a lithium-ion battery pack and 85-kW electric motor. According to VW, the electric-powered model hits 62 mph in 11.5 sec. and has a driving range in excess of 180 miles.

It's part station wagon in terms of its shape, and 100 percent Italian Gran Turismo when it comes to what's beneath the bodywork. The new Ferrari FF is powered by a 660-bhp 6.3-liter direct-injected V-12, which sends all that thrust to a 7-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel-drive system. According to Ferrari, the FF accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 208 mph. The FF also happens to be up to 25 percent more efficient, due to fuel-saving systems like stop-start engine control. Though we're not certain anyone capable of affording the approximate $300,000 price tag will worry about fuel prices.

In the metal, this sleek Jaguar coupe looks equally ready for the racetrack, or a prime spot parked outside Monaco's Monte Carlo Casino. The XKR-S comes equipped with the latest iteration of Jaguar's V-8, complete with a twin Roots-type vortex supercharger and two intercoolers. Maximum output is 550 bhp and 502 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Jaguar, this super cat sprints to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 186 mph. The XKR-S starts at $132,000 and arrives later this year.

The Windy City witnessed the introduction of one of the meanest muscle cars ever built—and that's including the heydays of the 1960s. The 2012 Camaro ZL1 is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that's mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Chevy promises about 550 horsepower (or more) from the potent powertrain. This is the kind of that could take the fight to most exotic cars, not to mention all but the meanest of Corvettes. The ZL1 is fitted with a raised aluminum hood that features a carbon-fiber power dome and heat extracting vents.

The only thing we didn't like about the Porsche 918 RSR Concept was the extremely early hour in which the German automaker unveiled the mid-engine racing coupe. Aside from the dubious start-time, we absolutely love this car. Power is delivered by a 563-bhp 3.4-liter V-8 engine, with front-mounted electric motors powered by a flywheel generator mounted where the passenger seat would normally reside. The total output of this technological tour de force is 767 hp. That power is available during 8-second bursts, once the driver recharges the flywheel via the regenerative brakes. On road or track, this powertrain will prove an awesome achievement.

The name is long, but this car's mission is very simple. The Mopar Underground RedLine Dodge Charger is meant to give the brand a performance and image boost, courtesy of a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and modified suspension that lowers the car an inch. This super is pretty much a showcase for the Mopar catalog—to be honest, we could live without the carbon-fiber covers for the side mirrors and the wild red leather interior. But the good news is that (and parent brand ) is finally showing renewed signs of life and some performance derring-do.

The Porsche Speedster first appeared during the Paris show, but it seemed custom-made for the sunny climes of the L.A. Auto Show (where it made its North American debut). Fans of the 1980s will love the retro double-bubble plastic covering for the cloth top, along with the Pure Blue and Carrara White color choices. The windscreen has been lowered by 2.4 inches, while the wide-body rear end is taken from the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. A rear-mounted 3.8-liter flat-6 cylinder engine delivers 402 bhp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. will build only 356 Speedsters.

The Jaguar C-X75 is a mid-engine masterpiece with a powertrain that is everything a supercar concept should be. Micro-turbines? This pretty kitty has them. The C-X75's 68-mile electric-only driving range is boosted by the micro-turbines, for a total range of approximately 560 miles. The C-X75 has four electric motors—one in each wheel—that deliver the equivalent of 780 hp and more than 1100 lb.-ft. of torque. According to , acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 3.4 seconds. In Paris, Jaguar reps told us this green tech remains (at least) several years from production.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento showcases the Italian sports car company's use of lightweight carbon fiber. The entire car weighs only 2200 lb.—the Sesto Elemento even has carbon-fiber wheels. A V-10 engine and permanent all-wheel drive are borrowed from the mid-engine Gallardo. told us in Paris that it would consider building the Sesto Elemento for anyone willing to foot the bill for an ultra-limited-edition model. Or you could always hand over $379,000 for the new and similarly carbon-fiber-intensive 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

reinvented the art of rally driving when the all-wheel-drive Quattro racing car arrived in 1980. In 1984 the racing car led to the legendary road-going Sport Quattro. The Audi Quattro Concept is a rolling homage to that awesome performance machine. The Quattro Concept uses a chassis that began life as the platform for an RS 5 coupe. The steel structure was replaced with lightweight aluminum, and the wheelbase shortened by 5.9 in. Boxy-looking and still hugely aggressive, the 2-passenger Quattro Concept is powered by a longitudinally mounted 400-horsepower 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine.